dobson



(No Model.)

L. WASHER 8: O. E. DOBSON,J1-.

BANJO.

No. 892,881. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

RW mil/'M0000' I UNITED TATES PATENT Orrrc LOUIS 'WASHER AND CHARLES E. DOBSON, JR., OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

BANJO.

SPBCIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,381, dated November 6, 1888. Application filed January 10. 1888. Serial No. 260.307. (NO model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Louis WAsHEP. and OHARLEsE. DoBsoN, J R.,citizensof the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ban- Iios, fully described and represented in the following specification and the aecompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

Thisinvention relatesto improvements in the construction of banjos, and has for its object to improve the music ofthese instruments by preventing the harsh metallic tones which are inherent in theseV instruinents as ordinarily constructed. This is effeeted by providing the instrument with what may be termed a double hoopll-that is to say, a supplemental hoop or rim which unites with the main hoop or rim at the back of the instrument, and, flaring inward, terminates at about a half an inch (more or less) from the head.

As a full understanding of the invention can only be given by an illustration and a somewhat detailed description ofan instrument embodying the same, all further preliminary description willbe omitted and a full description given, reference being had to the accom panying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a face View of a banjo constructed according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a back view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the hoop, taken at right angles to Fig'. 3.

Referring to said figures, it`is to be understood that as to its general construction and organization the banjo illustrated therein is the same as the ordinary instruments of that class.

The neck or finger-piece A is of the ordinary form, and is provided with the hoop or rim B, over which the parchment head Cis stretched and secured in the usual manner.

The hoop B is preferably made of metal-such as brass, German silver, or nickel-though it may be made of wood, and is of the usual dimensions. Extending from the back edge of the hoop B and fiaring inward is a second or supplemental hoop or rim, b, which terminates about a half an inch (more or less) from the head O. The hoop b is made of the same material as the hoop B, and when metal is einployed it is preferably made integral with the hoop B, it being turned inward by the spin ning process. The fiare or angle of the hoop Z) is such as to leave a considerable space between the two hoops, as shown, and it is found that the effect of the air partially confined in this space between the two hoops is such as to greatly modify and improve the tone of the instrument by causing a kind of echo which deprives the tone of much of its harsh and 1ne tallic quality.

In order to strengthen the connection between the neck or finger-piece and the hoop, the neck is provided with a metallie tubular extension, D, which passes through and is secured in suitable openings formed in the hoops B b, as best shown in Fig. 3.

Vhat we claim is In a banjo, the combination, with the hoop B and head O, of the supplemental hoop b, uniting with the back edge of the hoop B and fiaring inward and terminating in close proximity to but not in contact with the head, the space between the hoop B and the supplernental hoop being open and unobstructed, substantially as described.

In testimony wliereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS WASHER. OHAS. E. DOBSON, JR.

Vitnesses:

T. H. PALMER, G. M. Bonsai. 

